Archer{40 s finger tab

ABSTRACT

A finger tab for use by archers in drawing a bow string includes a flexible tab projecting forwardly from an elongated base, intermediate the ends of the latter. The width of the tab is dimensioned to be interposed between the bow string and the two middle fingers only, and the end projections of the base are arranged for engagement by the index and little fingers, respectively, rearwardly of the bow string. An elastic retaining strap is secured at opposite ends of the base for receiving the two middle fingers, for retaining the finger tab on the hand.

United States Patent 1191 Killian Nov. 5, 1974 [5 ARCHER'S FINGER TAB 3,757,763 9/1973 Pinti 124/35 A [76] Inventor: Gerald I. Killian, 12350 SE. Primary Examiner James R Bolcr Stevens Rd" Portland O'reg' 97266 Assistant ExaminerWai M. Chan [22] F1led: Mar. 1, 1973 I Attorney, Agent, or FirmOliver D. Olson V 21 A 1. No.2 337 125 Y I pp 57 ABSTRACT A finger tab for use by archers in drawing a bow string CCIL. includes a flexible tab projecting. forwardly from an 58 Field oi's'r'ii'fi111157163631; 163, 161 A; F base intermediate ends 294/25 124/23 R 35 A The wldth of the tab 15 d1mens1oned to be mterposed 1 between the bow string and the two middle fingers 56] References Cited only, and the end projections of the base are arranged for engagement by the index and little fingers, respec- 9 UNITED STATES PATENTS tively, rearwardly of the bow string. An elastic retain- 2,000,015 5/1935 ing strap is secured at opposite ends of the base for receiving the two middle fingers, for retaining the finger 219741319 3/1961 tab on the hand 3,608,090 9/197 l Wilson et al 2/21 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 1 ARCHERS FINGER TAB BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In its broad concept, the finger tab of this invention This invention relates to archery, and more particuincludes an elongated base member and a flexible larly to a novel finger tab for assisting the hand in drawing a bow string.

Finger tabs have been provided heretofore for use by archers in drawing a bow string, for the purpose of protecting the fingers against the development of callouses and for minimizing the bending torque of the arrow. However, such finger tabs have been characterized by a structure in which the flexible tab is designed to be interposed between the bow string and at least the 7 index and two middle fingers of the hand. The little finger is bent out of the ,way and performs no function, and the index finger functions primarilywith the next adjacent finger to position the rearward end of the arrow between them. The two middle fingers thus take substantially all of the resistive force of the bow string. Moreover, the frictional engagement of the index and next adjacent fingers with the arrow contributes detrimentally to unstable and inaccurate arrow flight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its basic concept, this invention provides a finger tab construction which utilizes all four fingers of the hand in drawing a bow string, with the middle two fingers pulling directly on the string through an interposed flexible tab and with the index and little fingers disposed rearward of the string but pulling on the tab.

It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principal objective of this invention is achieved; namely, to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of prior finger tabs.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an archers finger tab which is capable of use with either right or left hand.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an archers finger tab which is of simplified construction for economical manufacture.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of an archers finger tab embodying the features of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view as viewed from the top in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the position of the fingers on the tab during drawing of the bow string.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in side elevation as viewed from the bottom in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the position of the middle two fingers and flexible tab just prior to release of the bow strm FIGS. 8 and 9 are views in side elevation and plan, respectively, of a second embodiment of this invention.

tab member 12 secured to the base member intermediate the ends of the latter and projecting forwardly therefrom. As best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the width of the tab member is dimensioned to span substantially only the two middle fingers l4 and 16 of an archers hand, and the end portions of the base member projecting from opposite sides of the tab member are dimensioned for engagement by the index finger 18 and little finger 20, respectively, of the archers hand.

Thus, with reference primarily to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawing the finger tab construction of this invention utilizes all four fingersof the hand in drawing a bow string. The middle twofingers pull directly on the string, through the interposed flexible tab. Although the index and little fingers of the hand are disposed rearward of the bow string 22, they provide a pulling force on the latter indirectly through the base member and tab member. In this manner the resistive force of the bow string is distributed substantially equally between all four fingers of the archers hand.

Further, and with reference particuarly to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawing, it is to be noted that the rearward, notched end of the arrow 24 is maintained in position on the string by being captured between the conventional knocking point 26, anchored to the string, and t the second finger l4, i.e., thefinger next adjacent the index finger 18. With the index finger positioned rearward of the string and out of frictional engagement with the arrow, it does notcontribute adversely to arrow flight.

Still further, and with particular reference to FIG. 7, it is to be noted that as the two middle fingers l4 and 16 are straightened in the process of releasing the string, the latter moves smoothly forward along the inner surface of the tab member to final release. The flexible tab member thus performs the dual function of protecting the middle fingers against the development of callouses, and also of minimizing the bulging at-the tips of the middle .fingers over which the bow string rolls during release. This minimizing of bulging at the finger tips results in minimizing the bending torque of the arrow, thereby contributing beneficially, to more stable and accurate arrow flight.

Although the finger tab of this invention may be constructed in a variety of ways, the construction illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawing is preferred. Thus, the elongated base member 10 includes an elongated tube 30 provided with a longitudinal slot 32 (FIGS. 3 and 4) throughout its length. Within the tube is confined an elongated rod 34, being retained within the tube by means of resilient, removable end caps 36.

The tab member 12 illustrated is formed of a length of flexible sheet material40 such as leather, synthetic thermoplastic resin, heavy cloth, or other suitable material. The strip of flexible material is folded centrally about the rod 34 and preferably is secured frictionally to the rod by such means as rivets 42 which join the two layers of material together adjacent the rod.

The flexible tab and base members are joined together by removing one of the end retainer caps 36 and inserting the rod 34 and adjacent loop of flexible tab material 40 through said open end of the tube 30, the

forwardly projecting portions of tab material extending outward through the slot 32 in the tube. The end retaining cap then is re-installed over the end of the tube to retain the assembly.

Means is provided for securing the finger tab assembly releasably to the archers hand. In the embodiment illustrated, such means comprises a strip of elastic material 44 which extends lengthwise along the outer side of the tube 30 and is secured at its opposite ends to the opposite ends of the tube. In the embodiment illustrated, advantage is taken of the resilience of the end caps 36 for securing the elastic strip to the tube. Thus, with the end caps removed from the tube, the opposite end portions 44' of the elastic strip are lapped over the adjacent ends of the tube and the resilient end caps pressed onto the tube ends, with the elastic material interposed therebetween.

The intermediate portion of the elastic strip may be stretched laterally outward of the tube sufficient to allow the two middle fingers l4 and 16 of the hand to be extended through the opening thus formed, asillustrated in broken lines in FIG. 3. The elastic strap is positioned on the tube so that the opening between the tube and intermediate portion of the elastic strap is substantially parallel to the plane of the flexible tab member. Thus, with the two middle fingers extending through the opening between the tube and strap, they also extend parallel to and adjacent the flexible tab 12.

It is to be noted from the drawing that the assembled components of the finger tab form a substantially symmetrical unit. Thus, it is adaptable for use by either right or left handed archers. FIG. 3 illustrates in broken lines the application of the finger tab to the right hand. By simply rotating the finger tab l80, it is in proper position for attachment to the left hand.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a more simplified form of finger tab construction in which the base member 10 and flexible tab member 12 are formed integrally of a single length of leather or other suitable flexible material. A rearward portion of the material is folded and the lapping sections are secured together as by stitching 50, or by rivets as previously described. The single thickness portion 12' forward of the stitching defines the flexible tab 12, while the doubled portion 10' rearward of the stitching defines a reinforced base member 10. This base member portion is apertured transversely through the lapping sections to provide an opening 52 for reception of-the index finger l8 and an opening 54 for reception of the little finger 20. It is to be noted that these openings are located, with respect to the flexible tab 12, in the same relative positions of the end extension caps 36 and perform the same function of affording means by which the index and little fingers can exert a pulling force on the tab member 12, through the base member 10.

It will be apparent that the base member portion 10' may be made of thicker and stronger material than the flexible tab portion 12' and the two portions secured together as by stitching 50 or other suitable means.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present invention provides an archer's finger tab which is of simplified construction for economical manufacture, which is versatile in its application to either right or left hand, and which functions to utilize all four fingers of the hand in drawing a bow string while advantageously placing the index and little fingers of the hand rearward of the bow string where they do not adversely affect arrow flight.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of parts described hereinbefore without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having now described my invention and the manner in which it may be used, I claim:

1. An archers finger tab for use with an archery bow string, comprising a. an elongated base member, and

b. a flexible string-engaging tab member extending forwardly from the base member intermediate the ends of the latter,

c. the tab member having a string-engaging width dimensioned to span substantially only the two middle fingers of an archers hand,

d. the end portions of the base member projecting from opposite sides of the tab member being arranged for engagement by the index and little fingers, respectively, of the archers hand.

2. The finger tab of claim 1 including means on the base member for securing the latter releasably to an archers hand.

3. The finger tab of claim 2 wherein the securing means on the base member comprises an elastic strap secured at its opposite ends to the opposite end portions of the base member.

4. The finger tab of claim 1 wherein a. the base member comprises an elongated tube having a longitudinal slot therein and an elongated rod within the tube, and

b. the tab member comprises a strip of flexible material folded centrally about the rod with the end portions of the folded material projecting outwardly through the slot.

5. The finger tab of claim 4 including a. an elastic strap extending along the outer side of the tube for receiving the two middle fingers of an archers hand between the strap and tube for securing the tab to the hand, and

b. flexible cap means on the opposite ends of the tube overlying opposite end portions of the elastic strap and securing the latter frictionally between the cap means and tube.

6. The finger tab of claim 1 wherein a. the base member comprises an elongated tube having an longitudinal slot therein and an elongated rod within the tube,

b. the tab member comprises a strip of flexible material folded centrally about the rod with the end portions of the folded material projecting outwardly through the slot,

c. an elastic strap extends along the outer side of the tube for receiving the two middle fingers of an archers hand between the strap and tube for securing the tab to the hand, and

d. flexible cap means on the opposite ends of the tube overlie opposite end portions of the elastic strap and secures the latter frictionally between the cap means and tube.

7. The finger tab of claim 1 wherein the base member is apertured adjacent its opposite ends for reception of the index and little fingers, respectively, and the tab member extends forwardly from the base member intermediate said apertures.

8. The finger tab of claim 7 wherein the base member and tab member are formed of a single piece of flexible material.

* a: is 

1. An archer''s finger tab for use with an archery bow string, comprising a. an elongated base member, and b. a flexible string-engaging tab member extending forwardly from the base member intermediate the ends of the latter, c. the tab member having a string-engaging width dimensioned to span substantially only the two middle fingers of an archer''s hand, d. the end portions of the base member projecting from opposite sides of the tab member being arranged for engagement by the index and little fingers, respectively, of the archEr''s hand.
 2. The finger tab of claim 1 including means on the base member for securing the latter releasably to an archer''s hand.
 3. The finger tab of claim 2 wherein the securing means on the base member comprises an elastic strap secured at its opposite ends to the opposite end portions of the base member.
 4. The finger tab of claim 1 wherein a. the base member comprises an elongated tube having a longitudinal slot therein and an elongated rod within the tube, and b. the tab member comprises a strip of flexible material folded centrally about the rod with the end portions of the folded material projecting outwardly through the slot.
 5. The finger tab of claim 4 including a. an elastic strap extending along the outer side of the tube for receiving the two middle fingers of an archer''s hand between the strap and tube for securing the tab to the hand, and b. flexible cap means on the opposite ends of the tube overlying opposite end portions of the elastic strap and securing the latter frictionally between the cap means and tube.
 6. The finger tab of claim 1 wherein a. the base member comprises an elongated tube having an longitudinal slot therein and an elongated rod within the tube, b. the tab member comprises a strip of flexible material folded centrally about the rod with the end portions of the folded material projecting outwardly through the slot, c. an elastic strap extends along the outer side of the tube for receiving the two middle fingers of an archer''s hand between the strap and tube for securing the tab to the hand, and d. flexible cap means on the opposite ends of the tube overlie opposite end portions of the elastic strap and secures the latter frictionally between the cap means and tube.
 7. The finger tab of claim 1 wherein the base member is apertured adjacent its opposite ends for reception of the index and little fingers, respectively, and the tab member extends forwardly from the base member intermediate said apertures.
 8. The finger tab of claim 7 wherein the base member and tab member are formed of a single piece of flexible material. 